Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 686

Neil glanced at the breakfast spread on the table—pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs, all untouched. Without uttering a single word, he continued tying his tie as he made his way towards the front door.

Irene hurried after him, wanting to ask again, but all she got was the sight of Neil getting into his car and driving off without looking back.

She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.

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Neil was as cold as an iceberg, and Irene, a tiny spark, tried to melt him with her warmth. In the end, she found her flame extinguished by his icy demeanor.

"Irene, let's get a divorce," Neil suddenly proposed one day, catching Irene completely off guard.

She was basking in the rare joy of Neil's presence at home, dressed in what she believed was her most beautiful outfit, pondering over what to have for dinner. Then, she saw the divorce papers laid out on the table, offering 3% of Whitmore Co.'s shares. "Is that enough?"

"Divorce?" Irene felt as if she'd been struck by lightning, unable to believe Neil would propose such a thing. Despite their minimal interactions since marriage, she had never interfered with Neil's life, granting him absolute freedom. Wasn't that enough?

She had endured countless rumors, only taking small, secret actions to comfort herself.

Yet, why, despite her efforts, did Neil still want a divorce?

"Yeah, I never loved you. There's someone else I want to protect now," Neil declared emotionlessly, treating Irene, his wife of five years, as if she were a lifeless toy that he could dispose of without pain or sorrow.

Irene's voice trembled, "You've fallen for someone else? Who?"

But Neil wouldn't divulge any details, simply brushing off his sleeves coldly. "Look at the divorce papers. If they're acceptable, sign them. If not, we can discuss further."

Before Irene could say another word, Neil had left the house like a fleeting breeze, unwilling to stay even a moment longer.

From that day on, Irene was in turmoil, desperate to talk to Neil. However, he was unwilling to meet her unless it was to discuss the divorce.

She turned to the elders of the Whitmore family, revealing Neil's intentions to them.

Only then did she realize Neil had already made his stance clear to his family, while she was still naively hoping to salvage their relationship.

"Neil, come out!"

Irene found her way to a private apartment owned by Neil, determined to confront the woman he was hiding there. She wanted to reason with her—if money was what the woman wanted, Irene was willing to pay, but not at the cost of her decade-long relationship.

However, she was met with bodyguards hired by Neil, who blocked her entry. Not only did she fail to meet the woman, but she was also physically removed from the premises.

With her last ounce of strength, Irene sought help from Ryan and Faith of the Whitmore family.

"Irene, you're a good girl, and we like you, but Neil is adamant. He's even willing to cut ties with the family for that girl..." Faith's gaze was filled with sorrow and helplessness.

Irene, learning of this, didn't find it absurd but clung to it as a lifeline, hoping Russel could take Bonnie away, possibly making Neil reconsider.

"Do you have a picture of her? I want to see what she looks like," Irene asked eagerly, realizing she hadn't even seen Bonnie's face, making her feel foolish.

Russel shook his head, "No, Neil hardly lets her see me. I didn't expect it to come to this."

Irene laughed bitterly, realizing even this small request was too much to ask for.

During their conversation, she suddenly felt an intense pain in her chest, and in extreme agony, fainted. Russel, thinking she was overwhelmed with grief, rushed her to the hospital.

After several tests, the diagnosis hit Irene like a bolt from the blue.

"Breast cancer... advanced stage?" Was this devastating verdict the culmination of her three-day hospital stay?

Her parents, who were by her side, nearly passed out upon hearing the news.

Megan felt like she was about to collapse. Clutching the bed's guardrail for dear life, her world kept fading in and out of darkness. It took every ounce of her strength to keep herself from falling apart. "This can't be happening. There must be some mistake at the hospital. How can my daughter, so young, have breast cancer? Rena, don't be scared, sweetheart. I'll ask the doctor to run some more tests."

But Irene knew in her heart that there was no error. For the past six months, she had felt something was off with her body, especially around her chest and underarms, and she had lost weight, too. She had brushed it off, thinking it was just the stress from everything she had been through lately.

It wasn't until today, when the diagnosis was confirmed, that she realized she was facing her mortality.